The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-10

target for insult from those who can
! boast of youth and fortune. | have for
the protection of nv name only my
courage and my honor, and l will main
tain them while one dropof blood flows
in my veins. The youth of Monsieur
! de Nerseuil is no excuse. If he were of
my age would not exact from him o
respect which he would not owe me-
His inexperience has need of lesson.
and that which | will give him NAV
prove of some value if he does not de
| to-day the victim of his own temeritv
| As to the duel which have proposed, l
! acknowledge the conditions to be Sc
we're, but could | find any more gentle.
and at the same tine as gust? They are
| the only ones where the weapons be-
come equal in the trembling hands of
! age and the firm grasp of youth. Be
side, what is in question, Monsieur le
Colonel? The death of Monsieur de
Ferseuil or myself If | preserve my
honor l count for little the If, OF a
man, and count my own for nothing.
| Therefore, gentlemen, do not urge me
to accept the apology of Monsieur de
Eerseuil; honor does not permit it.
Chance will this evening decide which
/ of us must perish"
At this assertion spoken steadily and
without the slightest indication of ex-
element, the officers lost hope of
softening the severity of Monsieur de
| MOntluc.
The disappointed Lieutenant returned
to Verseuil, who awaited him in great
agitation. Verseuil saw from the eX-
preston of his friend that the old man
persisted in his fatal resolution. Il see,
Monsieur" he said, THAT no arrange
ment can be made"
"No, my young friend" replied the
Lieutenant; you must prepare to sOts-
fy the chevalicr. | regret it, for as l
said before. if you kill him YOU will be
Obliged to leave the regiment"
1--WE will see about that said Yer
| seuil. But Listen a moment, Mon
s;eur; you are an honorable man and |
believe can, with confidence, tell you
a secret, the more important that it is
not my own. The wife and daughter
of the Chevalicr dc Montluc live at Cha
Ions in the deepest retirement, under
the assumed names OF Madame and
Mademoiselle de Barville. | love the
young Ernest;ne desperately, and
she returns my affection. Madame
de Mon.lue approves of our mutual
love. Ernestine a. the end of
this campaign, in which had hoped to
harvest some laUrcls, would have re-
ceived my name and fortune in grant
ing me her hand. Monsieur de Mont
luc is ignorant of my love and my plans,
and by strange fatality he Will, per
haps. destroy this evening the man who
had hope TO call him father. You now
understand. Monsieur the cause of my
sorrow. and the tears you have seen me
she'd. Should chance pronounce my
death warrant, what would BE- the
despair of Ernestine? What would she
think of hor lover killed in duel by
her father? / beg of YOU, Monsieur,
write to her for my sake when have
ceased to live, and explain the details of
this catastrophe. Above all. portray
Inc rs more unfortunate than guilty,
ana be sure to say that l d ed loving
her.
With these words, drawing from his
bosom the will which gave ali his wealth
to Madame and Madamoisclle de Mont
luc, he placed it in the hands of the
Lieutenant as a sacred charge. The
First Lieutenant pressed Verseuil to
his heart and promised to fulfill
his last request, when sud
denly the clock struck eight.
1t was time for the fatal meeting. YER
sauil heard it calmly: he relied on the
promise Of the Lieutenant. Erncstinc
would know all. Nor over, the thought
benefits hitherto denied by fate. the
thought that in dying he would enrich
her as he would have enriched her had
he lived, did rot fail to afford him some
comfort.
He soon arrived with his new friend
at the appointed place. All the officers
of the regiment were already there and
had made renewed but van attempts to
alter the decision of Montiuc. To the
arguments of his comrades the old sol |
der had but one reply: Honor de- |
maIds it." At the appearance o. Yer
seuii, impressive silence rcigned among
the spectators. All eyes were directed |
toward the young man, whose cOuntc- !
nJHCt, I'LL VI SNCCllttSS anu ,IlilNJ !
proclaimed noble spirit, and whose
firm bearing showed heart free from
all fear. Verseuil went up to the |
Cheyalicr dc Montluc and said to him,
smiling: monsieur lie Chevalier, this
is my first attempt at the game OF
chance"
you may not find it altogether
replied the Chcvalier, Jelly.
I'VE are playing for large stakes "
The two seconds loaded the pistols.
The chevalier second held the dice
box: he was TO make the first trial. and /
the one of the principals who claimed
the CHEST point should blow out the /
bra rs of his adversary.
The cheyalier' $ second shook the dice |
for long time before giving them their
fatal liberty, but finally they escaped |
and rolled upon the rampant. The two
seconds and all the officers fastened to |
see what point the chevalier had thrown.
1t was the number ten. All eyes were /
bent in deep sadness upon young Yer
seuil, who appeared unmoved, although .
there were ten chances against two that /
be must die. The First Lieutenant, |
Versui's second. took the box and dice
with a trembling hand he shook the
dice with al almost convulsige move
ment. and let them suddenly escape
from +bair nrisOn. All 1c.ok with trent